ITANAGAR, Nov 14: Social media has not replaced journalism, but the growing influence of digital platforms has made it imperative for journalists to rebuild public trust through accurate reporting, consistent work and deeper engagement with communities, EastMojo Editor-in-Chief Karma Paljor said on Saturday.
Addressing mass communication students and working journalists at a workshop on 'Navigating Journalism in Arunachal: Ethics, Field Reporting and Digital Future', Paljor said the credibility of journalism depends on its ability to go beyond superficial news reporting, verify information and maintain professional standards in an increasingly competitive digital environment.
The Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award recipient identified inaccurate reporting, perceived political bias, sensationalism, commercial pressures, growing distance between news organisations and communities, and the prioritisation of audience engagement over truth as some of the factors contributing to declining public trust in the media.
Highlighting the growing pressure on journalists to break news first, Paljor cautioned that the race for speed often comes at the cost of verification and accuracy.
"Being wrong is more damaging than being late," he said, urging journalists to resist the pressure of instant publication and undertake thorough investigations before reporting claims, allegations or controversial developments.
He also drew attention to the challenges posed by the democratisation of information through social media, where anyone with a smartphone can publish and circulate content without necessarily having journalistic training or professional accountability.
Paljor cautioned journalists against treating information circulated through WhatsApp, social media posts and other digital platforms as verified facts, stressing that every claim must be independently checked before being reported.
"If a claim is emotional, dramatic, or politically explosive, it needs even stronger verification before being amplified," he said.
Speaking on the theme 'Everybody is a reporter, but is everybody a journalist?', he underlined the distinction between simply sharing information and practising journalism, which demands verification, accountability, fairness and adherence to ethical standards.
Paljor further cautioned that journalists should not assume dual roles. “They should serve either as journalists or as activists, but not both. Activists have their own agendas, whereas journalists should maintain an impartial position,” he said.
Paljor also discussed the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in newsrooms, highlighting its potential applications, implications for the profession and associated ethical concerns and limitations. He stressed the importance of using emerging technologies responsibly without compromising journalistic integrity.
The workshop was organised by the Arunachal Press Club (APC) at its conference hall here as part of the National Press Day celebrations 2026. Students from the mass communication departments of Dera Natung Government College (DNGC), Itanagar, and Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), Doimukh, along with journalists from across the state, attended the programme.
The participants interacted with the resource person during an interactive question-and-answer session, raising issues concerning the changing media landscape, professional challenges and the future of journalism.
Earlier, Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) president Dodum Yangfo felicitated Paljor, while APC president Amar Sangno delivered the welcome address and expressed gratitude to the resource person for sharing his experience and insights with the participants.